It is a question many people do not think to ask until the morning of their MRI appointment. Can you wear makeup? The short answer is: ideally not. Here is why — and which products matter most.
Can You Wear Makeup to an MRI Scan?
Ideally, no. Some cosmetics contain metallic particles that can interfere with the scan and cause mild skin warming. The safest approach is to arrive makeup-free.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust advises that patients should not wear heavy eye makeup for head scans, and that cosmetics with magnetic substances — such as magnetically attached eyelashes — must not be worn and any previously applied makeup of this type must be fully removed before the scan.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust specifically states that patients should not wear mascara to their MRI appointment, and that other types of makeup may occasionally be asked to be removed before the scan begins.
The two main concerns are:
Image artefact. Metallic particles in cosmetics can distort the magnetic field locally, causing blurring or signal loss on the images — particularly in scans of the head, face, or brain.
Skin warming. The MRI’s radiofrequency energy can interact with metallic particles on the skin and cause mild localised warming. This is usually minor but worth avoiding.
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust includes avoiding heavy eye makeup as one of its standard pre-scan preparation instructions.
Which Makeup Products Are Most Problematic?
Not all products carry the same level of concern. Here is a practical breakdown.
Mascara and Eye Makeup
This is the biggest concern and the product most specifically flagged by NHS guidance. Mascaras, eyeliners, and eyeshadows frequently contain iron oxide pigments — the same compounds used to create black, brown, and coloured shades. Scan.com UK confirms that iron oxides are used to add pigment to eye makeup and that chromium is used to create green shades in eyeshadow and nail varnish.
The proximity of eye makeup to the eyes makes it particularly relevant for brain, head, and facial scans. Arriving without mascara or eye makeup is the simplest and most reliable precaution.
Foundation and Concealer
Some foundations and concealers also contain iron oxides as pigment ingredients. The risk is generally lower than eye makeup — the products are spread more thinly and over a larger area — but Scan.com UK advises avoiding foundation and concealer if in any doubt.
Magnetic Eyelashes
These must be removed before entering the scanning room without exception. Leeds Teaching Hospitals explicitly flags magnetic eyelashes as a cosmetic that must not be worn. The small magnets used in the attachment mechanism interact directly with the MRI’s magnetic field.
Nail Varnish
Standard nail varnish is generally considered safe for most MRI scans. Metallic, chrome, or glitter polishes contain small metallic particles and may cause mild warming if the hands or fingers are being scanned. If your scan does not involve the hands, standard nail varnish is unlikely to cause any issue.
Deodorant and Skincare
Many antiperspirants contain aluminium, and some skincare products — including moisturisers and sunscreens — contain metallic microparticles as pigments or UV filters. Scan.com UK recommends avoiding creams and sprays on the morning of your appointment if in doubt. For cardiac MRI specifically, keeping the chest area free of any lotion ensures ECG electrodes can adhere properly.
What About Permanent Makeup and Tattoos?
Permanent makeup — including tattooed eyeliner, microblading, lip liner, and eyebrow tattoos — cannot be removed before a scan. The pigments are embedded within the skin and contain similar metallic compounds to those found in conventional cosmetics.
ICGI’s clinical guide on makeup and MRI confirms that permanent makeup poses a more significant consideration than removable cosmetics precisely because it cannot be taken off, and that patients with permanent makeup should consult with their doctor and inform the MRI technician before the scan.
In practice, MRI scans proceed in the vast majority of cases even with permanent makeup present. The MRI team will note the location of the permanent pigment, monitor for any warming sensation during the scan, and ask you to report immediately if you feel any discomfort. Tell them in advance so they can prepare.
Tattoos with metallic ink carry a similar consideration. Most modern tattoo inks are safe, but metallic or older pigments can cause mild localised warming near the tattoo during the scan. Again, tell the radiographer before the scan begins — particularly if the tattoo is near the area being imaged.
What If You Have Already Applied Makeup?
Tell the radiographer immediately when you arrive. Do not attempt to have the scan without disclosing it.
The radiographer will assess the situation based on what you are wearing and which part of your body is being scanned. For scans of the abdomen, spine, knee, or lower limbs, makeup on the face is unlikely to affect the results at all. For head, brain, or facial scans, they may ask you to remove it before proceeding. Makeup wipes are usually available at the MRI department.
If the makeup causes significant artefact once the scan has started, the radiographer will inform you and discuss whether the scan can continue or needs to be rescheduled. Being upfront from the start avoids this outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I wear mascara to an MRI?
No. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS both specifically advise against wearing mascara to an MRI. Mascara contains iron oxide pigments that can cause image distortion, particularly for head and brain scans.
- Can I wear foundation to an MRI?
Ideally not. Some foundations contain iron oxide pigments. The risk is lower than eye makeup, but arriving without foundation is the safest approach — particularly for scans of the head or face.
- What happens if I wear makeup and forget to tell anyone?
Tell the radiographer as soon as you realise. They will assess whether it affects your scan based on which area is being imaged. For scans away from the face, it is unlikely to matter. For head scans, they may ask you to remove it before proceeding.
- Can I wear nail varnish to an MRI?
Standard nail varnish is generally fine for most scans. Metallic or glitter polishes may cause mild warming if the hands or fingers are being scanned — in that case, it is better to remove it beforehand.
- Do I need to remove permanent makeup before an MRI?
You cannot remove permanent makeup, but you must declare it to the MRI team before the scan. In most cases the scan proceeds normally, with the team monitoring for any warming sensation near the pigmented area.